Microalgae as Raw Materials for Aquafeeds: Growth Kinetics and Improvement Strategies of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Production.

Studies have shown that ancient cultures used microalgae as food for centuries. Currently, scientific reports highlight the value of nutritional composition of microalgae and their ability to accumulate polyunsaturated fatty acids at certain operational conditions. These characteristics are gaining increasing interest for the aquaculture industry which is searching for cost-effective replacements for fish meal and oil because these commodities are one of the most significant operational expenses and their dependency has become a bottleneck for their sustainable development of the aquaculture industry. This review is aimed at highlighting the use of microalgae as polyunsaturated fatty acid source in aquaculture feed formulations, despite their scarce production at industrial scale. Moreover, this document includes several approaches to improve microalgae production and to increase the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids with emphasis in the accumulation of DHA, EPA, and ARA. Furthermore, the document compiles several studies which prove microalgae-based aquafeeds for marine and freshwater species. Finally, the study explores the aspects that intervene in production kinetics and improvement strategies with possibilities for upscaling and facing main challenges of using microalgae in the commercial production of aquafeeds.

Elevated homocysteine levels: What inborn errors of metabolism might we be missing?

Elevated total plasma homocysteine (hyperhomocysteinemia) is a marker of cardiovascular, thrombotic, and neuropsychological disease. It has multiple causes, including the common nutritional vitamin B12 or folate deficiency. However, some rare but treatable, inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) characterized by hyperhomocysteinemia can be missed due to variable presentations and the lack of awareness. The aim of this study is to identify undiagnosed IEM in adults with significantly elevated homocysteine using key existing clinical data points, then IEM specific treatment can be offered to improve outcome. We conducted a retrospective study with data mining and chart review of patients with plasma total homocysteine >30 µmol/L over a two-year period. We offer biochemical and genetic testing to patients with significant hyperhomocysteinemia without a clear explanation to diagnose IEM. We identified 22 subjects with significant hyperhomocysteinemia but no clear explanation. Subsequently, we offered genetic testing to seven patients and diagnosed one patient with classic homocystinuria due to cystathionine beta-synthase deficiency. With treatment, she lowered her plasma homocysteine and improved her health. This study stresses the importance of a thorough investigation of hyperhomocysteinemia in adults to identify rare but treatable IEM. We propose a metabolic evaluation algorithm for elevated homocysteine levels.

Fly ashes from coal and petroleum coke combustion: current and innovative potential applications.

Coal fly ashes (CFA) are generated in large amounts worldwide. Current combustion technologies allow the burning of fuels with high sulfur content such as petroleum coke, generating non-CFA, such as petroleum coke fly ash (PCFA), mainly from fluidized bed combustion processes. The disposal of CFA and PCFA fly ashes can have severe impacts in the environment such as a potential groundwater contamination by the leaching of heavy metals and/or particulate matter emissions; making it necessary to treat or reuse them. At present CFA are utilized in several applications fields such as cement and concrete production, agriculture and soil stabilization. However, their reuse is restricted by the quality parameters of the end-product or requirements defined by the production process. Therefore, secondary material markets can use a limited amount of CFA, which implies the necessity of new markets for the unused CFA. Some potential future utilization options reviewed herein are zeolite synthesis and valuable metals extraction. In comparison to CFA, PCFA are characterized by a high Ca content, suggesting a possible use as neutralizers of acid wastewaters from mining operations, opening a new potential application area for PCFA that could solve contamination problems in emergent and mining countries such as Chile. However, this potential application may be limited by PCFA heavy metals leaching, mainly V and Ni, which are present in PCFA in high concentrations.

Síndrome de anticuerpos antifosfolipídico en obstetricia: presentación de dos casos / Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome in obstetrics: report of two cases

Se presentan dos casos de gestantes con diagnóstico previo de síndrome de anticuerpos antifosfolipídicos (SAF) con historias de pérdidas de embarazos anteriores por diversos motivos, que tuvieron un seguimiento durante todo el embarazo y se aplicaron tratamientos distintos de acuerdo a la situación clínica. Se obtuvieron resultados perinatales diferentes. Se hacen comentarios con relación a la terapéutica utilizada y la repercusión de esta enfermedad en el embarazo, con comentarios finales basados en nuestra experiencia.

Two cases of pregnant women with previous diagnosis of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome that had lost previous pregnancies for different reasons are presented. They were followed-up during the whole gestation and diverse treatments were applied according to the clinical situation. Various perinatal results were obtained. Comments are made on the therapeutics used and the impact of this disease on pregnancy. Finally, observations based on our experience are exposed.

Linfangioma abdominal: a propósito de un caso / Lymphagiomas are benigmant: a purpose of the case

Los linfangiomas son tumoraciones benignas que se caracterizan por múltiples vasos linfáticos, y representan el equivalente linfático del Hemangioma. Pueden ser de dos tipos (congenitos y adquiridos) y se clasifican en cuatro grupos, de los cuales el linfangioma cavernoso es el más frecuente. Nosotros presentamos el caso de un paciente adolescente

Cáncer de mama en el hombre, doble primario metacrónico: a propósito de un caso / Man breast cancer metachronic, primary double: a purpose of a case

El cáncer de mama en el hombre es raro. Menos de 1 por ciento de todos los carcinomas de la mama, ocurren en el hombre. La edad media del diagnóstico está entre los 60 y los 70 años. Los factores de riesgo predisponentes incluyen, exposición a radiaciones, administración de estrógenos, y enfermedades como la cirrosis hepática, el síndrome de Minefelter, y la Schistosomiasis hepática

Androblastoma en preescolar de 4 años: a propósito de un caso / Androblastoma in preschool of the four years: purpose of a case

Los Androblastomas son neoplasias muy raras típicas de la edad joven, con una incidencia entre los 20 y los 30 años. Los tumores de células de Sertoli, pertenecen al grupo de los androblastomas. Los tumores de ovario en la infancia son raros, y corresponden a menos del 1 por ciento de todos los tumores malignos. El tumor de Sertoli tiene una incidencia de 2.5 por millón de niñas al año. Nosotros presentamos el caso de la primera paciente del Hospital General del Oeste

Hamartoma mesenquimal: a propósito de un caso / Mesenchymal hamartoma: a purpose of a case

Los tumores en el hígado son raros durante la infancia. La incidencia de los tumores hepáticos benignos es mucho menor que la de los tumores malignos. Entre los tumores benignos, el hamartoma suele ser solitario voluminoso, y aparece en pacientes masculinos menores de 1 año; generalmente se ubica en la axila, extremidad superior, o en la cabeza y el cuello, además del hígado. Nosotros presentamos el caso de un paciente con un hamartoma hepático